One of the best trails in the White Mountains. Starts out easy through open meadows along the little colorado river but becomes moderately steep as it climbs a mountain through huge ancient fir trees before it tops out at a granite overlook with views for miles. There is aircraft wreckage on the 11200 feet mountain next to Mount Baldy.A good trail to see mexican wolves.

best of the white mountains i would rate it as difficult in the first four miles pretty steep but beautiful climbs a mountain through huge ancient fir trees then tops out at a granite vista with views of many miles

We went in February so it was a bit cold but that was expected. This was an amazing trail with bits of snow patches and a very well marked trail system. We used our GPS quite a bit to make sure we stayed on the trail and that helped. This would be an amazing trail to do in the spring, summer or fall. We will be back.

This is definitely a worth while drive, but be sure to allow plenty of time. It is slow going as there are endless switchbacks and sharp corners along the road. In fact, there are many places where you probably won't be going any faster than 20-30 miles an hour due to this. Very scenic, with access to lots of side roads and trails all over this national forest. I've done this drive many times, both directions. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, this is your road as it has lots of twistys!! If going south, you will start up in the high country around Alpine. Forest, lakes, streams, meadows and an elevation of around 9000'. And it will drop all the way down to Clifton which has you back in the desert. When you get close to Clifton, the highway actually goes right through the Morenci Copper mine there. You actually have to stop for Haul trucks that cross right over the main highway. It's pretty surreal. And the mine is HUGE. It is the largest open pit copper mine in North America, and the 3rd largest in the world. It is in stark contrast to the beauty this drive has at higher elevations, but is something to see regardless. This is a good way to see how dramatic the vegetation changes in AZ. From cactus to tall pines, or vice versa. Be aware of the weather in winter though, the upper reaches of this road can be treacherous after a winter storm. And there is literally no services for miles and miles!!

Did this as a loop in early November with West Baldy Trail, using the 3.5 mile crossover trail. No water source on East Baldy Trail at that time, but found water on West Baldy Trail the next day. Pretty hike, trail is very well maintained. As other people have mentioned, the ascent is strenuous but doable. Day 1 on East Baldy Trail we made it to within a mile of the peak with 25lbs backpacks in about 6 hours. We found a few nice campsites with premade fire rings. Day 2 we finished the ascent and started the descent on West Baldy. Again found a nice campsite next to the West Fork of the river with a premade fire ring about 2.5 miles from the West Baldy Trail head. Day 3 finished out the descent and completed the loop on the crossover trail. Crossover trail is 3.5 miles and a bit more strenuous than we thought it would be. Overall a good 3 day 2 night backpacking trip.

Not too strenuous at all a few hills but nothing too major. Very rocky. Very long took us 4 hours to do the whole loop, we did take a few breaks. Several spots with great views for photo ops. Make sure you follow the white diamonds and you cross over a few dirt roads. There is also a shortcut about 4 miles in - follow the white diamonds with the yellow dot, I'd say this cuts about 4 miles off the 9.3 but I'm not sure, just a guess but it is a significant shortcut

Beautiful scenic hike with multiple locations to look east toward Escudilla and Big Lake. Closer to the end of the hike, the forest has been devastated by the wood beetle. Well maintained trail and worth the trip.

This trail is nothing special. About a mile in is a beautiful open field where the "river" cuts through the heart of. This river is not big at all, it is maybe a small creek at best. After venturing through the meadow you will find yourself next to an incredible rock formation which you take a few switch back to get over. This leads to a field of spectacular rocks with a great view. The trail then goes back into thick forest where your calf muscles will be tested inorder to get up the mountain. The peak of Mt Baldy is on Indian reservation so it is illegal to truly summit the mountain, however, you will find a false summit near the peak where you have a decent view looking north west. Overall this trail did not impress me however the wildlife and vegetation kept it somewhat exciting.

This trail is nothing special. About a mile in is a beautiful open field where the "river" cuts through the heart of. This river is not big at all, it is maybe a small creek at best. After venturing through the meadow you will find yourself next to an incredible rock formation which you take a few switch back to get over. This leads to a field of spectacular rocks with a great view. The trail then goes back into thick forest where your calf muscles will be tested inorder to get up the mountain. The peak of Mt Baldy is on Indian reservation so it is illegal to truly summit the mountain, however, you will find a false summit near the peak where you have a decent view looking north west. Overall this trail did not impress me however the wildlife and vegetation kept it somewhat exciting.

I used to hike this area a lot years ago during the fall grouse hunt. Very steep with lots of aspens. I have not been back in quite a while, and not since the Wallow fire at all. Great spot for fall colors with all the aspen trees it has.

This was a great trail! It was well marked and maintained, and the trail itself is interesting to follow, with a wide variety of nature and wildlife (including cows). However, be aware that the loop itself is closer to being 13 miles long than it is to being 9 miles.

Nice cool hike for mid-summer AZ, with lots of shade, a few remaining wildflowers and many butterflies. Mostly forest with one very nice view point looking SE about half way up. Another view point looking N closer to the end. Smoke from distant wildfires rolled in mid-afternoon.

Directions provided by the link are NOT correct. From Highway 260 it is 17.5 miles to the right turn onto FR 116. It is 4.1 miles on a well maintained dirt road to the parking at Thompson Trail #629 on the right. The actual trailhead is about 100 yards further and on the left.

An amazing gem! We hiked this trail last week and could not get over the beauty. Trail is 5 miles in and out and great for the dogs. The Black River runs along the trail so plenty of water for the dogs and for you if you bring a filter. You will drive on a dirt road for 4 miles before you get to TH. A car can make it but it will be bumpy and very dusty. We will be back again to explore more of the beautiful White Mountains.

Really fun trail, with a mix of meadows, forests, creeks, and rocky ridge lines. The grade up to the ridge line is not bad at all, and I saw numerous families with children along the trail. I usually associate Arizona with the more Sedona-type of geography, and this trail broke that stereotype for me completely. Great trail, and a great little region of Arizona.

Excellent for wildflowers in late spring and summer. Very flat trail for quite a distance, which makes for nice open views. Near the end it finally rises, offering nice views amid tightly packed trees.

Good length for a couple hours hike. Some pretty panoramic views but not as many as you might expect. Not very much elevation gain so good for someone who has bad knees or doesn't want the challenge of a mountain.

Started down the trail of this beautiful hike. We got about 1/3 of a mile in and saw a big cat track that looked somewhat fresh. Were not prepared to be stalked by a mountain lion, or whatever it might be. We turned around and hiked back to the car. No other hikers on the trail. We saw some abandoned cabins about 1/4 mile north of the trailhead. Anybody know the history of those? Pretty dilapidated.

I have hiked this east trail twice now, and it is one of the easiest grades to walk that you can imagine. It is a long hike, but so easy to do. No real steep pitches anywhere along it. Just did one this past fall, 2016, and it had been a long time since my first trek. I had forgotten how nice this trail was. No real great scenic views until you get up on top by the reservation boundary. As most know, the actual peak of Mt. Baldy is off limits unless you are an Apache. The peak is on their land, and is sacred to them. You can apparently get permission before hand if you choose to. A worthwhile hike up there even if you can't summit the actual peak. I'll have to do the west fork trail some day just to see what it's like. Beautiful forest trail for sure.